21/11/2017 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Still time to bid for a Pride Social Impact Fund grant

Posted on 21/11/2017 by Besi

Community groups and good causes across Brighton and Hove have less than two weeks to go to bid for grants to put Pride in our city.

For one weekend every year, hundreds of thousands of people flock to Brighton and Hove to mark the LGBT+ celebration, which is one of the biggest in the UK.

Community groups are invited to bid for money raised from the event to ensure that the positive message of Pride has an impact on areas of the city all year round.

Now in its third year, the Pride Social Impact Fund is accepting applications from groups or organisations which need a little helping hand in making a difference in their community.

All applications must be submitted by midday on November 30.

Tim Ridgway, chairman of the Pride Social Impact Fund, said: “In just a few years, the Social Impact Fund has made a massive impact to the lives of thousands of people across the city, proving that the Pride celebrations can have an impact on the community beyond just one weekend a year.

“I’m delighted to say that this year we have a record amount of money to distribute. I urge groups across the city to submit their bids as soon as they can and look forward to being able to help some amazing grassroots groups put a little bit of Pride back into our city.”

Launched in 2016, the Pride Social Impact Fund has so far distributed about £15,000 to groups across the city.

Projects put forward do not have to be LGBT+ related; they don’t even have to directly-linked to Pride (although applicants directly impacted will be favoured).

However big or small, the only criteria is that it will brighten up people’s lives by the time Pride comes round again next year.

This year, up to £19,755 is available for groups to bid for.

Funding comes from contributions made by businesses within the Pride Village Party in the St James’s Street area as well as extra funding from Pride ticket sales.

The application process for this year’s fund is open now and bids will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from The Argus, BBC Sussex, Juice 107.2, Brighton and Hove Independent, Sussex Life, Gscene, Latest magazine and Latest TV.

Among those groups to benefit in 2016 were the Tarner Community Project, who received £1,000 towards creating drop in sessions for young people not in education, employment or training.

Other grants saw £500 gifted to the Friends of Preston Park towards Easter Egg quiz and hunt; and £300 awarded to Ardingly Court Residents Association for new lawn mower and a garden shredder.

Little Green Pig received grant of £500 in 2016

£500 was also granted to Brighton-based Little Green Pig creative writing charity which helped fund a videographer for This Is My City project.

Emily Hogan, of Little Green Pig, said: “This was a really special project for us. In the end, 120 children from across the city contributed to writing the travel guide and we are all so proud of the result. Thank you to everyone at the Social Impact Fund for their incredible support.”

Paul Kemp, director of Brighton and Hove Pride, added: “Pride is only able to deliver this fundraising with the help of local businesses who contribute to the fund but we’d like to encourage more local businesses across the city who benefit from the bumper weekend of business Pride brings into the city, to get involved with our fundraising efforts for all our communities.”

How to apply

The Social Impact Fund has been set up to provide small grants for communal good. Grants are awarded annually to organisations or groups within the city with particular emphasis on areas directly affected or in the footprint of Brighton and Hove Pride.

Submissions should be a maximum of 400 words mapping out how the money will be spent and why the cause is deserving. Please note the maximum award will be £1,000. There is no lower limit.

There is no restriction on ‎numbers of entries by individual groups.‎ However, the emphasis is on supporting community and grassroots groups, rather than individuals.

Submit your bid by midday on November 30 by email to Bhsocialimpactfund@gmail.com.

Applications will be considered by a panel of local media representatives with successful applicants informed by the end of December.

Any money distributed needs to have had a visible outcome by the start of Pride 2018.

Transgender Day Service of Remembrance

Posted on 21/11/2017 by Besi

Dorset Gardens Methodist was the venue for Transgender Day Service of Remembrance on Sunday, November 19, hosted by Dr Kate Nambiar.

Following Kate Nambiar’s welcome, original poems were read by Seb Causton, Elly Morris and Alice Denny and community talks given by EJ Scott (Museum of Transology), Eddy from Tranformers, Tyler Austen and Elly Morris.

The Rainbow Chorus sang numbers including True Colours, Sound of Silence, Feelin Groovy and Bridge Over Troubled Water as those present placed the names of those killed in transphobic hate attacks on the sanctuary wall.

Following the closing address delivered by Rev Heather Leake Date, everyone present moved down to the first floor cafe area to share tea, coffee and enjoy the buffet prepared by Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club.

The Convener of Brighton & Hove Greens, Cllr Phelim MacCafferty and Sgt Peter Allan the Trans Equality Advocate at Sussex Police were among officials present.

Mugabe resigns – LGBT Humanists welcome his demise

Posted on 21/11/2017 by Besi

The UK LGBT Humanist charity, Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) welcomes the demise of the brutal homophobic tyrant Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe, leader of Zimbabwe since 1980, has actively carried out actions against LGBT+ people and spoken out in public against homosexuality.

Mugabe received worldwide criticism for comments he made on August 1, 1995 after coming across a stall set up by the Association of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) at the country’s annual International Book Fair in Harare.

GALZ, founded in 1989 to facilitate communication within the gay communities, had not received much attention from the government beforehand. Mugabe’s said after seeing the stall at the book fair: “I find it extremely outrageous and repugnant to my human conscience that such immoral and repulsive organisations, like those of homosexuals, who offend both against the law of nature and the cultural norms espoused by our society, should have any advocates in our midst and elsewhere in the world.”

Two weeks later during Zimbabwe’s annual independence celebrations Mugabe proclaimed: “Homosexuality degrades human dignity. It’s unnatural, and there is no question ever of allowing these people to behave worse than dogs and pigs. If dogs and pigs do not do it, why must human beings? We have our own culture, and we must re-dedicate ourselves to our traditional values that make us human beings…..What we are being persuaded to accept is sub-animal behaviour and we will never allow it here. If you see people parading themselves as lesbians and gays, arrest them and hand them over to the police.”

Referring to pressures to decriminalise homosexuality, Mugabe told the UN: in 2015: “We reject attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, our norms, traditions and beliefs.”

Mugabe was invited to attend the beatification of Paul John Paul at the Vatican in 2011. Despite his Marxist pretensions and passionate rhetoric against the West, he has long been an admirer of the Catholic Church. Born at a Catholic mission station in British-ruled Southern Rhodesia, he attended Jesuit schools. Perhaps as a result, the Vatican has tended to give Mugabe a free pass.

PTT Secretary George Broadhead, said: “Mugabe must rank as one of the worst homophobic leaders worldwide and his cosy relations with the Vatican are hardly surprising. Let’s hope that the new regime will be truly democratic and respect human rights.”

Human Rights Campaigner Peter Tatchell famously attempted a citizen’s arrest of Mugabe in Brussels in March 2001. Tatchell went to shake Mugabe’s hand and said: “I am putting you under arrest on charges of torture under the United Nations Convention Against Torture 1984.” Mugabe’s security guards bundled Tatchell away and Belgium police stood aside as they beat him up.

Charity fun day at Doctor Brightons

Posted on 21/11/2017 by Besi

TIA Charitable Foundation teams up with Doctor Brightons to bring you a fun filled day to help raise awareness and funds for valuable conservation and community projects in Southern Africa on Sunday, December 17.

They have a host of activities lined up which include:

♦ Sponsored head shaving
♦ Shoulder, head and neck massages
♦ Charity Auction
♦ Incorporating the great Smiley Sunday comedy night from 8pm
(£3.00 per person)

Instead of a haircut why not have your head shaved for a good cause and in support of one of Africas most iconic animals… The Rhino?

Ask at the bar for the relevant sponsorship form.

Last years Ride4Rhinos event at Doctor Brightons raised just over £2000 and they hope to top that figure this year with your help.

Happy hour drinks and 2 4 1 cocktails are available during all the event.

Event: Charity Fun Day raising fund for TIA volunteers

Where: Doctor Brightons, 16-17 Kings Road, Brighton

When: Sunday, December 17

Time: 4pm-11pm

Cost: Free entry. £3 entry to Smiley Sunday

For more information about TIA volunteers, click here:

TIA on Facebook, click here:

Samaritans – Make small talk and save lives

Posted on 21/11/2017 by Besi

Campaign encourages the public to prevent suicide on the railways.

Samaritans is launching a campaign in partnership with British Transport Police, Network Rail and the wider rail industry to give travellers the confidence to trust their instincts and act if they notice someone who may be at risk of suicide in or around a train station.

By highlighting that suicidal thoughts can be temporary and interrupted with something as simple as a question, the campaign aims to give the public the tools to spot a potentially vulnerable person, start a conversation with them, and let them know support is available, including contacting Samaritans.

Small Talk Saves Lives has been developed after research showed passengers have a key role to play in suicide prevention. Further research showed the majority are willing to act, but many wanted reassurance they wouldn’t “make things worse”.

The campaign draws on insights from successful interventions made by rail staff who’ve been trained by Samaritans in suicide prevention. For each life lost, six are saved and the hope is to get more people involved.

A survey of people who travel by train, carried out for the campaign, revealed more than 4 out of 5 would approach someone who may be suicidal if they knew:

♦ signs to look out for

♦ what to say

♦ they wouldn’t make the situation worse.

Nearly 9 out of 10 thought a person in need of support would find it hard to ask for help.

The emphasis is on responding in ways people feel comfortable and safe with. Different courses of action are suggested, depending on the situation and the response. They range from approaching the person and asking them a question, to involving other passengers, alerting a member of rail staff or calling the police.

Sarah Wilson felt suicidal and planned to take her life on the railways, but didn’t. Her story inspired a video to promote the campaign, where unsuspecting passengers on a train platform initially think a station announcer is warning them of delays due to a suicide on the line, only to find out that they are listening to a story of hope and recovery, told by Sarah herself.

Sarah said: “Someone showing that they cared about me helped to interrupt my suicidal thoughts and that gave them time to subside. The more that people understand that suicide is preventable, the better. I hope people will share the video and that the campaign will encourage people to trust their gut instincts and start a conversation if they think someone could need help. You won’t make things worse, and you could save a life.”

The campaign was also developed in consultation with people who have been personally affected by suicide, including where a loved one has taken their life on the railways.

Branch Publicity Officer Henry Smith, said: “Suicide is everybody’s business and any one of us could have an opportunity to save a life. The knowledge and skills to save lives in the rail environment can be applied to many other situations. We hope that Small Talk Saves Lives is the start of a much wider conversation about how suicide is preventable.”

For more information about Small talk Save Lives, click here:

Festival Director apologises and resigns over Facebook rant on same sex marriage

Posted on 21/11/201721/11/2017 by Contributor

Following his Facebook rant after the recent Yes and No same-sex marriage vote in Australia, Richard Wolstencroft, Director of The Melbourne Underground Film Festival (M.U.F.F.) issues the following statement after his posting went viral.

“I would like on behalf of myself and M.U.F.F. to issue an apology regarding the Facebook post of mine that went viral.

I apologise not only for my ill-conceived words but also for the timing of them. Some of my gay friends have chastised me for dampening what should have been a joyous moment for them, the success of the YES vote.

As those who are long-time and patient friends of mine know, I am an ardent advocate of free speech, but am the first to admit that on this occasion I was wrong in several of my assumptions.

I will put this down to the fact that I had just finished another successful annual Melbourne Underground Festival (its 18th. Year), and other projects, as well as some personal issues I have been dealing with that combined have left me exhausted.

No excuse, but contributing factors nonetheless. Once again let me offer up a truly sincere and heartfelt “I’m sorry”. It saddens me that I have hurt some of my dearest friends by my early morning rant.

Some of those friends have scolded me by phone on this point – thank you Ranjan for your chat. Also Brenton Gaia, one of the mains stays of the regulars crowd at the Hellfire Club who wrote me some true words in his usual arch tone today, “You can be a philosopher, a politician, a priest of your own flock, but what you are not is a scientist. Please don’t use science to denigrate me and my tribe because it’s simply wrong.” I hear you, Brenton, and thank you.

I have also since realised through googling around that the abuse accusation is a trope often hurled at the LBGT community by openly homophobic groups. I did not realise this when I used it. This made me feel ashamed and spurred this apology.

I also received valid chastising emails from various members of the Gay Community, one sunk in deeply. It was from Crusader Hillis, from Hares and Hyenas, a well-respected member of the local LGBT Community. He is another someone I have offended with my post and it shames me as he is someone I have always respected and looked up to. He has tried, at times, to educate me on LGBT matters. I promise to continue that education with a more open mind.

I would also like to thank Lachy Hulme for his personal call on Friday and the well-deserved scolding he gave me. It actually brought tears to my eyes when I finally realised just how much unnecessary hurt I had caused, all through my own stupidity, alienating old and new friends

Some of you have raised concerns about my suitability as Director of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival – and while it pains me to do so – I have decided to step down as Festival Director after 18 years in relation to this matter, and will use the time to return to my first love, making independent films.

Frank Howson, respected local Industry veteran will take over as new M.U.F.F Director and, considering the brave visionary he is, will no doubt guide the Festival to a very exciting and fresh future. The Festival does much important work assisting local filmmakers to showcase their work and find their audience. Frank has great ideas on how to take the Festival to a whole new level, raise its class, profile and make some much-needed positive changes.

I promise I will use this experience as a learning curve and I hope some of those offended take this apology to their heart, as it is from mine. I have always been a friend of the LGBT Community with Hellfire and M.U.F.F. and hope to gain a greater understanding of related issues.

I would also say I respect the Will of The People of Australia apropos the Postal Vote being a #YES result and I expect the ruling Liberal Party of Australia to bring The Will of Nation in to quick and satisfactory fruition. M.U.F.F from now on will also be a YES position supporting festival and I know Frank Howson wholeheartedly supports that.

Apologies also very much due to friends and associates who have had to deal with my inappropriate mess online the past few days – and felt compelled to make statements about me and this matter.

I would also like to thank Irish M.U.F.F. alumni filmmaker Terry McMahon who, while condemning my words unreservedly, would not partake in a witch hunt against me personally. This is the sign of his maturity, good nature and Irish style ‘no bullshit’. I can only hope to aspire to be like Terry one day. Great respect.

I hope one day I can earn the forgiveness of more of you, also, even some strangers. I would also like to personally apologise to Steven Williams from the film Urine Aid – and Australian auteur Alex Proyas, a man whose work I deeply respect.

I would also like to personally apologise to (the much-loved by all) Hussein Khoder, my assistant director of 4 years from a few years back, who I have also upset. This has all given me much to think, learn and reflect. I have some personal issues to sort out to bring my life and mind to a calmer place.

Finally, it has been a great honour to run the Melbourne Underground Film Festival for 18 years – half my adult life’s work – I have seen literally an entire generation of truly amazing filmmakers file through its doors and we have screened some amazing work,

It is for the upcoming generations of young filmmakers that I am writing this letter and why I founded this festival (with Rebecca Sutherland) in 2000.

Thank You to All – and Viva the Revolution of The 2nd Renaissance In Oz Cinema. One day I hope we do it – we have the best talent in the world here.

M.U.F.F. Director number one – humbly signing off. It’s been an honour and a privilege. I hope my time here will be remembered fondly, by at least some of you, and my few indiscretions not over shadow its achievements.”

Best Regards
Richard Wolstencroft

To read Gscene columnist Craig Hanlon Smith’s opinion piece in response to Mr Wolstencroft posting, click here:

OPINION: I am what I am

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Day: November 21, 2017

Transgender Day Service of Remembrance

Dorset Gardens Methodist was the venue for Transgender Day Service of Remembrance on Sunday, November 19, hosted by Dr Kate Nambiar.

Mugabe resigns – LGBT Humanists welcome his demise

The UK LGBT Humanist charity, Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) welcomes the demise of the brutal homophobic tyrant Robert Mugabe.

Charity fun day at Doctor Brightons

TIA Charitable Foundation teams up with Doctor Brightons to bring you a fun filled day to help raise awareness and funds for valuable conservation and community projects in Southern Africa on Sunday, December 17.

Samaritans – Make small talk and save lives

Campaign encourages the public to prevent suicide on the railways.

Festival Director apologises and resigns over Facebook rant on same sex marriage

Following his Facebook rant after the recent Yes and No same-sex marriage vote in Australia, Richard Wolstencroft, Director of The Melbourne Underground Film Festival (M.U.F.F.) issues the following statement after his posting went viral.

Latest News

Call us now

Community groups and good causes across Brighton and Hove have less than two weeks to go to bid for grants to put Pride in our city.

Share this:

Dorset Gardens Methodist was the venue for Transgender Day Service of Remembrance on Sunday, November 19, hosted by Dr Kate Nambiar.

Share this:

The UK LGBT Humanist charity, Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) welcomes the demise of the brutal homophobic tyrant Robert Mugabe.

Share this:

TIA Charitable Foundation teams up with Doctor Brightons to bring you a fun filled day to help raise awareness and funds for valuable conservation and community projects in Southern Africa on Sunday, December 17.

Share this:

Campaign encourages the public to prevent suicide on the railways.

Share this:

Following his Facebook rant after the recent Yes and No same-sex marriage vote in Australia, Richard Wolstencroft, Director of The Melbourne Underground Film Festival (M.U.F.F.) issues the following statement after his posting went viral.

Share this:

Latest News